Heavier impact socket = better?

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e9999

e9999

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was watching a youtube vid on rusty lug nuts (don't ask) and some guy claiming to have worked with impact sockets a lot says that the impact sockets work dramatically better than regular sockets with an impact gun *because they are heavier and thicker*, as in he could not take nuts off with a regular socket, he put the impact socket and off they came.

Any truth to that? Did you experience it?
Why? Weight? Rigidity? Something having to do with resonance in the impact mechanism?

And, yes, aside from that, I'm aware that there may be issues with shattering and also flaking with regular chromed sockets.
 
Regular sockets would shatter. Impact sockets are softer and can absorb the impact without damage. They are also thicker and probably better at not rounding off the nut or bolt.
Impact guns should be used with impact sockets.
 
I'm not asking if impact sockets are better for use with impact guns. I'm asking if it's true that you can undo a nut with an impact socket when you can't with a regular socket in the same gun. And why.

And, for what it's worth, no, regular sockets won't automatically shatter when used with an impact wrench.
 
e9999 said:
And, for what it's worth, no, regular sockets won't automatically shatter when used with an impact wrench.
Click to expand...

Depending on the quality of the socket and how much torque you're putting through it, yes, regular sockets will shatter when used with an impact wrench. It's happened to me on a number of occasions.

If everything else is the same (impact gun, air line pressure, specific stuck fastener, etc.) then in my experience a heavier socket alone does not affect how a fastener comes off.
 
I don't think anybody would question the notion that it's better to use an impact socket with an impact gun. Outside the OP again, but I feel compelled to mention that I have used both impact and regular sockets with a rather powerful impact gun and never had one shatter. In fact, I had a Cr-V adapter shear clean off once while the regular socket did not blink.

But back to the issue, it's interesting to know that you think the heavier socket at least does not matter. I was conjecturing that maybe a more rigid socket might transfer the impulse better.
 
I'm sure the mass of an impact socket vs standard helps to some degree on stubborn hardware. I have cracked a few standard deep Snap-on's over the years when a impact socket would not fit due to clearance issues. They (non impact sockets) do not AUTOMATICALLY shatter, but will eventually fail if abused with an impact gun.
 
heaver socket helps depending on what you trying to throw it through. but no the weight dosnt really give it any force and the thickness is more for durability. I haven't seen a difference between chrome or impact sockets for effectiveness at work, either one works for me.
 
and yet another impact socket mystery:

I was shopping for impact sockets and to my surprise I saw they came in 2 versions: 12 points and 6 points. So what am I missing here? Why would anyone want a 12 pt impact socket? It's not like you have to worry about not having room to turn your impact wrench I imagine...
 
ah. I thought those were a different size standard. Good to know.
 
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Those typically look like this
 
The heavier the socket is the more force it takes to overcome the sockets inertia, therefore the less force is applied to nut/bolt to undo it, but on the other hand rigidity of the socket comes into play with that the more rigid the socket the more force is applied to the nut/bolt and is also more reliable.

The reason a impact socket will work better on a impact wrench is that they are more rigid.

The reason that impact sockets aren't chromed is that the chrome will wear out the square drive of the impact wrench much faster than a non chrome finish.
 
Bull****.

Chromed sockets are harder than impact sockets, if you're wearing out the anvil through use, it's a lot of use with hard chrome sockets but even then... a lot of use. Has nothing to do with being chromed... it's all in the steel.

Impact sockets are thicker and softer so they don't explode and hurt someone.
 
Yes, not as brittle as chromed non-impact sockets.

Nothing to do with the finish though. Oxide or phosphate vs chrome... it's just non-impact sockets are more brittle and thinner and more likely to split or shatter when used with an impact, and they're generally chromed.
 
normiex said:
...
The reason that impact sockets aren't chromed is that the chrome will wear out the square drive of the impact wrench much faster than a non chrome finish.
Click to expand...

Absolutely, chrome is very hard and will eat anvil square drives. Some just use chrome, dumb, in other cases, some fasteners are obstructed, require thin wall. In any case, if you have to use chrome on an impact, best to use a short impact extension to protect the anvil.

The most common injury seen from using chrome on an impact is; chrome peal when holding a spinning socket, the chrome splinter can cause a pretty good cut. Next would be; chrome universals coming apart cutting the hand holding it, but the same could be said for the pin coming out of impact universals. The lesson; don't hold spinning tools!

I have never had a manufacturer deny chrome socket warranty for impact use. Most will not warranty anvil wear from chrome use.
 
maxamillion2345 said:
Bull****.

Chromed sockets are harder than impact sockets, if you're wearing out the anvil through use, it's a lot of use with hard chrome sockets but even then... a lot of use. Has nothing to do with being chromed... it's all in the steel.

Impact sockets are thicker and softer so they don't explode and hurt someone.
Click to expand...

It's not "all in the steel", the reason you can't find chrome impact sockets is that chrome wears the anvil.

Not all manufacturers make sockets to the same hardness, wall thickness or use the same material, all good manufactures do not put a chrome finish on sockets intended to be used on impact wrenches.

Your calling bull**** while talking bull****.
 
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